The Ahmadiyya movement, often referred to by many in the Muslim world as the Qadiani movement, is a religious group founded in the late 19th century in British India. While Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims, mainstream Sunni Islam does not recognize them as part of the Muslim ummah due to key theological differences—especially regarding finality of Prophethood.
Origins of the Movement
The Ahmadiyya movement was established by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908) in the town of Qadian, located in Punjab, in what is now modern-day India. He claimed to be the promised Messiah (al-Masih) and Mahdi, titles many Muslims associate with future eschatological figures. More controversially, he claimed to be a prophet, albeit one subordinate to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
This claim sparked immediate and widespread opposition from Sunni scholars and jurists, who considered it a violation of the fundamental Islamic belief in the finality of Prophethood (Khatm an-Nubuwwah).
Sunni Belief: Finality of Prophethood
Sunni Muslims hold firmly to the Quranic verse:
This ayah is understood to mean that no prophet can come after Muhammad ﷺ. The concept of Khatm an-Nubuwwah (Seal of Prophethood) is regarded as a core tenet of Sunni Islam, and anyone who claims prophethood after him is considered outside the fold of Islam.Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the final seal of the Prophets-(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:40)
Why Sunni Scholars Reject Ahmadiyya Claims
Sunni scholars across regions and centuries have unanimously rejected the Ahmadiyya claim to Islam for the following reasons:
(a) Denial of Khatm an-Nubuwwah: By recognizing Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet, Ahmadis contradict a clear and established belief in Islam.
(b) Reinterpretation of Core Beliefs: Ahmadis have introduced interpretations of Islamic doctrines (such as Jesus’ return) that deviate significantly from orthodox Sunni views.
(c) Independent Community and Practices: The movement has established separate mosques, translations of the Qur’an, and even distinct forms of allegiance (bay'ah)—further isolating them from the broader Muslim ummah.
Key Sunni Responses and Rulings
(a) In 1974, Pakistan enacted a constitutional amendment that officially classified Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
(b) Renowned Sunni institutions such as Al-Azhar (Egypt), Darul Uloom Deoband (India), and Dar al-Ifta have all issued fatwas declaring the group outside the fold of Islam.
(c) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) does not recognize Ahmadis as Muslims.
These rulings emphasize that belief in the finality of Prophethood is non-negotiable and essential for Islamic identity.
Global Perspective
While Ahmadis are persecuted in some Muslim-majority countries, they are protected under religious freedom laws in the West. This has allowed the movement to establish a global presence, media platforms, and outreach programs—though they continue to face rejection by mainstream Islamic scholars globally.
From a Sunni Islamic standpoint, the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) movement is a deviation from orthodox Islam, primarily due to its beliefs concerning prophethood. While Ahmadis self-identify as Muslims, their theology places them outside the fold of Sunni Islam. Sunni scholars stress that the finality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a foundational belief, and any challenge to it constitutes clear disbelief (kufr) in Islamic theology.